Himachal Pradesh became which state of India?

Question

Accepted Answer

Himachal Pradesh became the eleventh state of India, which aligns with Option 2. Here is a detailed explanation supporting this:

1. **Explanation for Option 2 (Correct Answer):**
   - Himachal Pradesh was granted full statehood on January 25, 1971. Before this, it was a Union Territory. The Indian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, decided to elevate Himachal Pradesh to the status of a full-fledged state. This made it the eleventh state of India. The decision was part of a broader effort to reorganize states and territories in India to better reflect linguistic, cultural, and administrative considerations.

2. **Explanation for why other options are incorrect:**

- **Option 1 (Fourteenth):** This option is incorrect because Himachal Pradesh was not the fourteenth state to be formed. The fourteenth state was Haryana, which was carved out of Punjab on November 1, 1966.

- **Option 3 (Twelfth):** This option is incorrect because the twelfth state was Manipur, which was granted statehood on January 21, 1972, after Himachal Pradesh.

- **Option 4 (Eighteenth):** This option is incorrect because Himachal Pradesh was not the eighteenth state. The eighteenth state was Goa, which became a state on May 30, 1987.

In conclusion, the correct answer is Option 2, as Himachal Pradesh became the eleventh state of India on January 25, 1971.